Mail chute



0a. 27, 1942. J. D. II-IARPER MAIL CHUTE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 4, 1'94 ,vwww vw w gv ATTORNEY.

NVENTOIE.

5 Sheets-Sfiaet 2 J. D. HARPER MAIL CHUTE Filed on. 4,1940

Oct. 27, 1942 Oct. 27 194 2. J. D. HARPER MAIL CHUTE Filed Oct. 4. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 11/ ///z/ /I l l 7 i m {n f. 9 1 1 ,7 a 7 a N v m 1 a w a M. v 1 f 7/ Oct - 1942. J. D. HARPER MAIL G HU'I'E Filed Oct. 4, 1940 5 She ets-Sheet v4 \\l|lllllllllllllll \IIHEE: ll lllllllllllllllll I Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE John D. Harper, Rochester, N. Y., l assignor to Cutler Mail Chute 00., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 4, 1940, Serial No. 359,735

12 Claims. I

My present invention relates to mail chutes of the character that, it is common knowledge, are installed in office buildings principally to conduct letters and other mail matter from upper floors through intervening floors directly to a col.

lection receptacle usually arranged at the bottom or ground floor for collection by authorized Government agents.

Under regulations having the ailect of legal statutes these installations, though paid for by i the individual, remain under the custody and juowners and operators at a given place of emplacement.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a mail chute'ofthis character that will meet all the obligations of the manufacturer with respect to the Government regulations; will be sufficiently simple in construction to make it available at a reasonable price to the private purchaser and will be continuously efficient in use,

it being borne in mind in this respect, that while the structure is owned and paid for by an otherwise independent purchaser, the Government maintains an original endorsement and supervision and in the practical operation of the mail chute it requires the cooperation of thetechnical owner with the Government agency to enter, modify and control, in general, the daily operation thereof.

More specifically stated, the present improvements are directed in part toward simplifying the initial erection of the mail chute structure; toward, in this respect, meeting and overcoming difficulties heretofore experienced in adapting the chute installation to the general conduct of the main buildin construction with regard to'which it ultimately serves as a component part and toward promoting the expediency with which mail clogs that often occur in the best of mail chutes can be disposed of with minimum interruption of usual operation.

To these and other ends, th invention resides in certain improvements and combination of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed outin the claims at the end of this specification;

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mail chute constructed in accordance with and illustrating one embodiment of my invention, there being there shown fragments of an interfloor installation at the top; a floor section, and the fragmentary top of an intermediate section of a lower floor installation connecting with that shown above;

Figure 2 is a side View, partially in section, of the same thing that is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale'in front'elevation of a part of the showing of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a further enlarged showing in additional vertical section of what is set forth in Figure 3;

Figure?) is a vertical section taken substantiallyon the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal or transverse section taken substantiallyon the line B6 of Figure 1, viewed from the direction indicated bythe arrows on the latter figure;

Figure '7 is an enlarged horizontal or'transverse section taken substantially on the line 'l-| of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows appearing on the latter;

Figure '8 is an enlarged horizontal or transverse section taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows appearing on the latter: 7 Y Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontal or transverse section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows appearing on the latter;

Figure 10 is a perspective view on the floor section enlarged with respect to Figures 1 and 2 and reduced in scale with respect to other figures; Figure 11 is 'a front View on the scale of Figure 3 of a unit of th mail conducting channel, detached, forming a part of the assembly, in general, set forth in previous views;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the detached unit shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a transverse, horizontal section taken on the line I3l3 of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary, vertical section on the scale of Figure 13 showing the cooperation of an upper channel unit with a lower channel unit intermediate of the floors, the sections being taken vertically parallel with the sustaining wall; Figure 15 is a vertical front to rear section taken substantially on the line I5--i5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a further enlarged horizontal transverse section showing the relationshi of the letter conducting channel to its main support and also the relationship of the front panel to the first mentioned part;

Figure 1'7 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing a modified structure;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of ie filling strip shown in section in Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a fragment of the veneer strip that is applied to the support as shown in Figure 16 Figure 20 is a perspective view of one of the fastening cross bars such as that utilized with reference to the floor base section;

Figure 21 is a perspective View, detached, of the last mentioned floor base section viewed from the front, and

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the ceiling section, detached, viewed from the inside.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

In the fabrication and installation of a mail chute constructed in accordance with the improvements previously outlined, the following points are explained:

In the erection of a modern building in which the mail chute manufacturer is called upon to install his chute, the building constructors ordinarily set up reinforced concrete side Walls or base walls and intersecting reinforced concrete floors. Where the latter join the side or base walls rough openings are left for the installation of the mail chute existing as a separate addition,

The mail chute consists generally of intermediate sections secured to the wall between floors, there being one such installation running from each floor to each ceiling regardless of the height of the building. Connecting these is what is termed in the art a floor section, namely, a section ultimately embedded in each floor and which furnishes a letter conducting and shedding connection between two intermediate sections so that the opening is continuous all the way down to the receptacle at the bottom as first above mentioned.

As a preliminary to the installation of such a continuous mail chute, suitable wall supports such as parallel angle irons are applied to the side or base walls running continuously through the building, and where the floors intersect and opposite to the wall supports, sheet metal casings are fixed in the floors so that, in a general way, the masonry of the floor and wall construction will give latitude for the application of the mail chute as a whole.

These floor linings are termed fthimblesfi They are fixed in the floor area; they project at the top slightly above the floor surface of one story and they project slightly below the ceiling surface of the next floor down. In other words, they are tubes that define the between floors area.

Between the floors of the building, that is, between the fioor line and the ceiling line, a particular. measurement is supposed to exist, as for instance, it will be an 8, 10 or 12 foot floor interval, However this may be architecturally arranged, the practical result after the roughing, the floor finisihng and the ceiling finishing, there may be up to an inch or more difference between the surface of a given floor line and the ceiling line of the same floor as compared with adjacent floors, Nevertheless, the chute manufacturer must prefabricate his installation so that it will make accurate and well finished connection with the said floor and ceiling in every instance. With;

the present invention the distance between the floor line and'the ceiling line of a given floor may so vary architecturally and yet with a standard prefabrication the mail chute units installed in the successive floors, cut to a standard length, are still adaptable to appear generally the same and to be applied in the same manner. In other words, the present invention provides for a tolerance in prefabrication whereby the mail chute interfloor sections may be practically standardized.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

and first to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, I will give briefly an idea of the major elements entering into the fabrication of a mail chute so that the terminology will be clear. With this idea, A indicates the masonry or side walls of an entire building through which the chute extends and B indicates an intersecting floor, both shown conventionally. The chute is secured against or embedded in the wall A. Between floors, upper and lower letter conducting channels I and 2 closed by separate displaceable front panels 3 and 4 constitute the intermediate letter conducting sections of the structure. The channels meet at a key controlled locking bar 5 that fastens them both and the letter drop 6 containing the aperture for inserting the mailed letters is in the panel of the lower section. At the bottom or ground line of each intermediate section there is a base section I resting on the floor surface B while at the top of the same unit is a ceiling piece 8 (as well as below the base section in the unit of the floor below where such ceiling piece appears in these figures). Between the base section 1 of one unit and the ceiling piece 8 of the adjacent unit below is what is called a floor section that extends through the floor B and establishes the continuity of the lettershed between two adjoining floor section units.

Referring now briefly to Figure 6, the general mode of mounting the chute as a whole on the wall A is therein shown as one embodiment of the invention.

Angle irons 9 are erected upon the said wall A in continuity throughout the height of the building. They are fixed to the latter as by screws I0 passing through the back flanges H thereof and taking into frequently distributed cross bars [2 at the back thus tying the two angle iron units together. In turn, the cross bars I2, by means of bolts [3, are centrally anchored in the wall through the medium of suitable plugs M. Thus one flange of each angle iron 9 stands outwardly from the wall and together these flanges constitute side pieces within which the sectional mail conducting channels are enclosed. Such channel is indicated at l5 in Figure 6.

The channel I5 is ordinarily made of sheet metal and, as the term implies, embodies a back wall 15* and side walls [6 open at the front. To secure it in place and make it self-sustaining and rigid with respect to the supports hereinbefore described, means are used that will later be explained. Sufiice it to say with reference to the showing of Figure 6 and alluding additionally to the showings of Figures 16 and 17, the said side walls I 6 are provided with shoulders I! that form seats for the front panels 3 and 4 previously described. This seat, in each instance, is contrived by doubling the sheet metal upon itself, as shown, to project inwardly (parallel to the front) as a double flange in the manner shown. 4

The said panel elements 3-4 consist principally'of glass. panes held in sheet metal moldings N3 of such conformation that they fit tightly against the flanges l1 and also tightly within the portions of the channel sections l5-l6 that tion of structural features with which they cooperate to provide the invention herein disclosed.

Assuming that the letter conducting mainchannel I5'-,l6 has been installed in the general way described, it is closed at the front of each floor section unit in the following manner:

The, lower front panel 4 is put in place, interlocked in a certain way hereinafter referred to with the base element I; the upper panel 3 is similarly applied against the flange seats l'l, interlocked in a particular way at its top, in cooperation with a connection hereinafter described, and then the key controlled locking bar 5. 1s brought over to lock effectively both longitudinal and outward movement of the panel 4, and longitudinal and outward movement of the panel 3, the first mentioned at its top and the second mentioned at its bottom end.

A description here of the function of the locking bar 5 and its cooperation with these panels 3 and 4 will help in an understanding of the'assembly characteristics more broadly concerned. Referring now more specifically to Figures 1, 'l and 15, there is placed at this intermediate point of the parts of the intermediate sections of a between-floors unit a frame which is substantially rectangular in the present instance. Its back piece 2| is bolted at 22 to a cross bar 23 engaging on the rear of flanges ll of supporting angle irons 9 so that the frame is clamped in place at the proper elevation. This element is conveniently a casting and its front portion consists of a downwardly and inwardly or rearwardly inclined rail 24 constituting a lettershed. At the ends of this rail are bosses 25in alinement with the moldings 18 of upper panel 3 and lower panel 4 on the inside, which bosses are also so inclined for the same purpose. In other words, these bosses come inside or forwardly of the upper panel at the top and project beyond the lower panel 4 at the bottom so as to protect descending letters from contact with the latter.

Forwardly of such rail on the same frame casting (Figure 7) are extensions 26 and 21. The first mentioned carries a pintle 28 on which is hinged a. locking bar 5, earlier described, while the other constitutes a striker plate for the upper end of this bar. In the latter vicinity is a key-controlled lock 29 that cooperates in locking engagement with a suitable formation on rail 24, but the details of this are old and of no moment in connection with the present inven tion.

The lower end of the upper panel 3 terminates in a generally z-shaped rail 30 (Figure 15) connecting the moldings I8, one portion of which supports the glass 3 and the other portion of which projects forwardly beneath the upper flange 3i of the hollowed casting that constitutes locking bar 5. It will be seen that when the latter is secure, panel 3 which rests upon rail 24 cannotbe displaced because it cannot be lifted and it cannot be brought forwardly. In the same manner, a similar rail 32 on lower panel 4 interlocks with flange 38 of locking bar 5. Thus, as to vertical and forward movement, both panels 3 and 4 are effectively locked in place, at least as to the lower end of the upper one and the upper end of the lower one.

Having thus described the purely betweenfloor general construction of the chute, I will proceed to a description of the connection thereof with the floor section leading to the installation next below which, of course, ultimately leads to a description of the ceiling fittings of the latter.

The base element I, initially referred to,.is shown in detail in Figure 21. Attention is now called in particular to Figures 3, 5 and 8. It is preferably formed by a box-like casting as to its front and sides spanned or bridged by an anchoring rail 34 at the rear. By means of this anchoring rail, it is secured by screws 35 to a cross bar 36 spanning the angle irons 9 and thus clamped thereto in the same manner as the cross bar l2 of the locking bar frame just described. The lower end of the lower panel 4 is provided with another generally Z-shaped rail 37 provided with lugs 38 that rest upon and generally interlock with the top of the base element 1 and rearward lugs 39 on the inside thereof. This prevents forward disengagement of the panel at the bottom without lifting it, and inasmuch as lifting it is prevented by locking bar 5 and its frame at the top, this panel is secured (subject to the key-controlled look) at both ends.

As a matter of exterior finish and also establishment of the well through which the chute proceeds from floor to floor, this base element 1 that rests on the finished surface of the floor B also cooperates with the lining or thimble previously referred to. The latter consists, in the present instance, of two rectangular tubular sheet metal elements 40 and 4| (Figure 5), the upper one of which telescopes into the lower one without positive attachment thereto. Said upper one 44 is secured at the top by a screw 42 to another cross bar 43 clamping against the rear of the angle irons 9. The lower one 4| is similarly secured by a screw 44 at the bottom to a similarly engaged cross bar 45. It is not ordinarily necessary that these two thimble tubes should be directly fastened to each other as their function is to abut the concrete structure of wall A and floor B and to define the mail chute well, the concrete or a filler being brought up permanenjtly to them. By this adjustable arrangement of the thimble parts, a collar 45 is left above the floor surface and a collar 41 is left projecting from the ceiling below. The former is covered by the base element 1 so that with slightly varying thicknesses of individual floors plenty of clearance or tolerance is obtained.

Also supported on the base element 1 is the floor section 48' or that chute portion that supplies the letter conducting medium in the immediate vicinity of the floor B to connect one between-floors installation with the adjacent one. The body thereof is a straight, generally rectangular, sheet metal tube, shown in detail perspective in Figure 10. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, its upper end has a funnel-like flare 49 at the front and the sides and above that the back wall is flared rearwardly at 55, terminating in a flange 5| by means of which the whole section is hung upon the rear rail 34 of the base element 1. The forward edge 52 of this floor section tube abutsthe lugs 39 of the base to hold the section generally in position, and, in assembly, it can simply be dropped down in the well within the thimble 4| after the base element 7 is put in place with reference to the latter.

Attention is here called to the fact that this floor section 48 is hung only at the rear so that its lower end may be moved moderately from side to side to accomplish certain results hereinafter described. The front wall thereof is substantially in alinement with the rear letter conducting surface of panel 4 giving no obstruction to the conduct of falling letters. Nevertheless, the flare 49 is a lettershed offset outwardly from panel 4 and leading gradually into the major tube 48.

The lower end of the lower letter conducting channel member 2, still referring principally to Figures 4 and 5, sets in the flare 50 of floor section 48 telescopically and in letter shedding manner for which reason its back wall at this point is tapered or the channel constricted as indicated at 53. It does not depend thereon for support, however, as the upper end is secured to the locking bar casting or frame 2'! as by the rivets 56 (Figures 7 and 15) and hence by it to the wall support. In addition, laterally projecting trunnions 54 on the sides of the panels 2 rest upon lugs 55 on the base member (see also Figure 21). This contact definitely establishes the proper relationship between chute section 2 and floor section 48 and, this being done, the locking bar frame 2| at the upper end is secured by the screws 22 and cross bar 23 wherever it comes. Bearing this in mind will help with an understanding of points of the invention involving the superposing of panel section I upon panel 2 and its fittings with the ceiling above.

In other words, in the assembly, and preferably, the thimble fill-41 is established, the base element 1 is put in place with reference thereto, the floor section 48 is dropped into the well formed by the thimble, channel section 2 is erected on the floor section and on the base and the locking bar frame 2!, together with such channel section, is then secured to the angle irons, as described, at a point substantially mid- Way between ceiling and floor which point does not have to be exact over any other dimension.

The upper channel section I is also supported upon the locking frame casting 2|, but it in itself is of a novel and particular construction which will now be described with particular reference to Figures 5, 11, 12, 13 and 14. For a distance at its top about equal to its width, it is permanently closed by a front plate 51 completing a tubular formation at this point. Inside of this plate 51 and spaced therefrom is a letter shedding plate 58 of substantially the same extent, the lower end of which is inclined inwardly at 56 with bosses 60 at the end, much like the bosses 25 f the locking bar frame 2| only longer and for the same purpose. The upper end has a reverse inclination outwardly at 6| for a purpose that will presently appear. This inner plate 58 is secured against the panel seat shoulders I! of the channel section between rearward flanges at the lateral edges of plate 51 which are fastened to the channel by screws 62, making a rigid permanently combined structure of the whole. The bosses 61] also prevent the letters from contacting the joint.

At the lower end, this section I is tapered at 63' to make a letter shedding telescopic fit (Figures 4 and within the upper end of lower section 2 within locking bar frame 2| for which purpose the panel seat shoulder I1 is cut back for a ways at 63. Trunnions 64, such as described in connection with the support of the lower section on the base, project laterally from the sides to rest upon the locking bar frame 2| or rather the side pieces 20 thereof.

When the upper section is erected upon the lower one, its upper end is first inserted through the ceiling into the floor B above so that it will slidably telescope over the lower end of the floor section tube 48, previously described, in the general manner shown best in Figure 5. It is to facilitate this engagement that the latter is merely hung from its top and so can weave a little. The incline 6| of plate 58 assists in so centering it and also provides a lettershed in connection therewith if the receiving mouth comes a little below the lower cooperating mouth of said section 48. The bosses 60 are accommodated in angular recesses 65 formed at the corners of floor section 48 (see Figure 10). The lower end of section I is now brought in (moved rearwardly) and seated in section 2 being supported on frame 2|, as previously described. This, of course, requires an upward and then a downward sliding movement of the upper end of section I in its telescopic cooperation with floor section 48 which the structure described.

readily permits with section I settling back to its ultimate position, however, without disengagement.

As this is being done, I provide means for automatically locking section I to section 2 so that it can not be raised and disconnected except by upper section is dropped down, the latch 68 is pressed outwardly and then snaps back in effective locking engagement with the lug. It requires complete access to the interior to release it., I have previously described how the panel 3 of section I is locked against similar movement by the locking bar 5.

Returning to the region of the ceiling and the floor above, the panel 3, of course, cannot be raised or brought forward at its lower end because of the previously described cooperation of locking bar 5. It is also prevented from upward movement at the top by engagement with the lugs 60 of the tubular end of the chute section and it cannot be then brought forwardly because its upper rail 10 is provided with upstanding lugs H which, by preliminary upward movement of the panel 2, lock behind a flange at the lower edge of front plate 51, as shown at the bottom of Figure 5.

All letter conducting sections and the panel are thus made secure, but it remains to finish oif the ceiling connection attractively and protect it from casual tampering. Referring now more particularly to Figures 5 and 9, a yoke-shaped ceiling frame 12 is secured to the angle iron supports by the usual screws 13 and cross bar 14. It is so positioned and fastened at the proper point to meet the finished ceiling surface even though the height thereof is not exactly what it should be. Its sides extendforwardly and receive long screws that hold in place a ceiling piece 16 offset sufficiently to clear and conceal the collar 41 on the thim ble piece M. It. is preferably .a casting and has a rearward flange 11 at the bottom that comes into close contact with the front plate 51 of the chute section and with reference to which thelatter may slide. At this platev is sufficiently long, a tolerance is provided the cooperation with such ceiling pieces so that if the height of the ceiling on one floor is even several inches different from that on another floor, a neat and tight connection is nevertheless establish with the same prefabricated parts without noticeable difference. This tolerance taken with the tolerance provided in the cooperation of the upper chute section I with the floor section "48 is a great advantage to both the manufacturer and the workmen who install the chute.

The principal difficulty encountered inthe operation of these mail chutes is the formation of clogs due either to stufling a prohibited article such as a thick folded envelope into the mail apertures or arising by coincidence from the meeting of heavymailings deposited from different floors. Of course, these jams are readily displaced when they occur back of the removable panels, but they are also apt to occur within the floor section. Any projection or obstruction, however apparently insignificant, is apt to initiate such a clog. It is therefore pointed out that with my present invention. the floor section 48, at least so far as its more inaccessible portion is concerned, is perfectly straight down into the intermediate section below. Its ffiare 49 at the top is well above the floor line and within the base section 1 so that by removing the :lower panel 4 a clog at this point can be easily reached. with the hands.

There are two general methods of installing mail chutes. With one they are embedded .in the wall so that they project very slightly from the plaster or finished surface. Withthe other they are offset and outstanding from the wall. In the latter case the exterior surface of the rough angle irons 9 with the present construction would not be particularly pleasing. Furthermore, it is desirable to close the space between letter conducting chute sections and the angle irons to prevent the collection "of dirt and also the introduction of trash by idle persons. To these ends I preferto cover the angle irons with a veneer plate or molding 18, as best shown in :Figure 16. This extends from the back where it is secured by the cross bar screws and is then bent inwardly at I9, square with the front, and finally rear- Wardly and toward the angle iron as at 8-0. I then apply a front molding 81, shown in detail perspective in Figure 18. This has a doubled bead portion 82 that is adapted to embrace the front edge IQ of the chute section so that one portion lies between the panel molding l8 and the latter and is concealed by the molding. The sheet metal constituent thence proceeds rearwardly over the portion l 9 and laterally where it is again doubled at 83 to fit tightly against the front portion 19 of molding 18. Its edge thence turnsstraight rearwardly at 84 and has a spring to it. Thus, in apply the molding 8 I, it is pressed on directly from the front over chute edge 19 and with the portion 84 held frictionally and tightly against flange 80 over molding 18.

' There is no necessity for fastening this molding 8| positively because, with the structure described, it requires tools to removeit and it does not reveal or give access to anything of importance if it is taken oii. It is in separate links substantially coincident with the panels 3 and 4 because, as shown in Figure 7, for instance, the frame 2| meets the veneer molding l8 directly and it in itself takes'up the space that molding 8| otherwise serves to bridge.

In Figure 17, I have showna modification of the frictional and spring cooperation of the two moldings wherein the rearward flange 89 is dished-or formed as a concavity against the angle iron flange while the rearward edge 84" of the molding BI is curved in a complementary manner to spring and look within it. 7

Both moldings can be made to taste, as, of bronze or other relatively inexpensive material, to present a very pleasing appearance without great cost and with attendant simplicity in their application.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mail chute adapted to extend through the floors of a building, the combination with suitable wall supports, a tubular fioor section, and a ceiling piece and a ceiling piece bracket secured to the wall supports, of an intermediate channel section open at the front but having'a closed tubular upper end telescopically cooperating in a letter shedding manner with the lower end of the floor section to permit initial sliding adjustment with reference thereto and also slidably adjustable along the ceiling piece on the exterior, and a displaceable panel closing the front of the intermediate channel section.

2. In a mail chute adapted to extend through the floors of a building, the combination with suitable wall supports, a tubular floor section and a ceiling piece and a ceiling piece bracket secured to the Wall supports, of an intermediate channel section open at the front but having a closed tubular upper end telescopically cooperating in a letter shedding manner with the lower end of the floor section to permitinitial sliding adjust- 'ment with reference thereto, there being a dcuble forward and outer wall in such tubular portion one element of whichfurnishes the lettershed cooperation with the floor section whilethe other is slidably adjustable along the ceiling piece, and a displaceable panel closing the front of the intermediate channel section.

3. In a-mail chute adapted to extend throng the floors of a building, the combination with suitable wall supports, a tubular floor section, and a ceiling piece and a ceiling piece bracket secured to the wall supports, of an intermediate channel section open at the front but having a closedtubular upper end telesoopicallycooperating in a letter shedding manner with the lower end of the floor section to permit initial sliding adjustment with reference thereto, there being a double forward and outer wall in such tubular portion one element of which furnishes the letter-shed cooperation with floor section while the other is slidably adjustable along the ceiling piece, and a displaceable panel closing the front of the intermediate channel section said panel terminating short of the ceiling piece and cooperating with both the inner and outer walls of the tubular portion of the channel section.

4. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel, of an upper letter conduct-ing chute channel superposed thereon in telescopic letter shedding relationship therewith, and spring actuated releaseable means for directly and automatically looking such upper channel section to said lower section against disengagement in an upper direction.

5. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel, of an upper letter conducting chute channel superposed thereon in telescopic letter shedding relationship therewith, releaseable means for directly locking such upper channel section to said lower section, the same comprising a, keeper associated with the lower section, and a snap latch embodied in the upper section and cooperating therewith.

6. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel, of an upper letter conducting chute channel superposed thereon in telescopic letter shedding relationship therewith, a relatively heavy connecting frame having a keeper lug on its inner rear face and to which frame the lower channel section is fastened below the lug, and means on the inside of the upper channel section interlocking with the keeper lug on the said frame.

7. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel, of

an upper letter conducting chute channel superposed thereon in telescopic letter shedding relationship therewith, of releaseable means for locking such upper channel section to said lower section, embodying a connecting frame having a keeper thereon to which the lower channel section is connected, and means on the upper channel section interlocking with the keeper on the said frame, the inter-locking element on said upper channel comprising a slot and a spring portion adjacent thereto adapted to snap into engagement with the keeper when the said upper letter conducting channel is dropped down upon the frame and lower letter conducting channel.

8. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel, of an upper letter conducting chute channel superposed thereon in telescopic relationship therewith, a frame fixed to the lower section and spring latching means on said frame adapted to take automatic interlocking contact with the said upper letter conducting channel to prevent upper movement of the latter.

9. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel leading to the floor below, of a frame fixed thereto, an upper letter conducting channel adapted to sit by a downward movement in the said frame and in letter shedding relationship with said lower letter conducting channel, spring latching means on said frame for locking the upper letter conducting channel thereto against upward movement once it has reached its seat, and letter conducting means in a floor section of the ceiling above cooperating with the upper end of the said upper channel and telescopically joined therewith to maintain such last mentioned relationship while the first mentioned locking engagement is being effected.

10. In a mail chute for the conduct of mail matter through the floors of a building and in an inter-floor installation thereof, the combination with a lower letter conducting chute channel leading to the floor below, of a frame fixed thereto, an upper letter conducting channel adapted to sit by a downward movement in the said frame and in letter shedding relationship with said lowor letter conducting channel, spring actuated automatic means on said frame for locking the upper letter conducting channel thereto, when the channels are brought together, panel sections closing the fronts of the said two channel sections and rendering inaccessible the said locking means, and a key-controlled locking bar accessible from the exterior and arranged to lock the panels.

11. In a mail chute adapted to extend through the floors of a building, the combination with a building wall, of wall supports comprising a pair of angle irons each having one flange secured against the wall and the other disposed outwardly therefrom, a letter conducting channel secured to the first mentioned flanges and spaced from the last mentioned to lie between the same, a sheet metal veneer plate extending around each angle iron and terminating in an inwardly flanged forward margin, and an expanding sheet metal filler strip frictionally engaged between the channel wall and the flange of the veneer plate.

12. In a mail chute adapted to extend through the floors of a building, the combination with a building wall, of wall supports comprising a pair of angle irons each having one flange secured against the wall and the other disposed outwardly therefrom, a letter conducting channel secured to the first mentioned flanges and spaced from the last mentioned flanges and an expanding sheet metal filler strip frictionally engaged between the channel wall and each outward flange of the angle irons, an intermediat portion of such filler strip being doubled upon itself to form a lateral stop flange limiting its inward pressure with reference to the outwardly disposed flange of the angle iron.

JOHN D. HARPER. 

